Clash over purchasing tender schedule, 10 hurt

At least 10 traders of Sakal Bazar in the district town were injured in an attack allegedly by their rivals yesterday over purchasing schedule for leasing of the bazar.

Of them, Shafiqul Islam Madhu, 56, vice president of Sakal Bazar Traders' Welfare Association, its general secretary Babul Ahmed, 50, joint secretary Akram Hossain, 45, adviser Azizul Haque, 55, and publicity secretary Anwar Hossain, 45, were admitted to Jamalpur General Hospital while the rest given first aid.

On March 1, Jamalpur municipality called a tender to lease the bazar for one year and fixed the dates of purchasing the schedule and its dropping yesterday and today, said sources at the municipality.

Accordingly, a group of traders, also leaders of the association, gathered at the municipality gate to purchase the schedule around 1.30pm yesterday, said Babul Ahmed, general secretary of the association.

As they attempted to enter the municipality through its main gate, another rival group of traders and members of Sakal Bazar Traders' Committee, allegedly led by Shamim Ahmed, also former organizing secretary of the district unit of BNP, attacked the traders with iron rods, leaving the 10 injured.

Being informed, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said Abdul Awal, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station.

Despite several calls, this correspondent could not reach Shamim for his comments on the issue as his cellphone remained switched off.